How Much Do Copper Countertops Cost to Install?

Average Cost for Copper Countertops

Cost Per Square Foot

Copper countertops cost $100 to $175 per square foot, including $10 to $30 per square foot for the cost of labor.

Copper is one of the more expensive options compared to other common types of countertop materials. Below are price ranges (including installation and labor) for three other common countertop materials for comparison:

• Ceramic or porcelain tile: $11–$58 per square foot

• Acrylic: $23–$60 per square foot

• Wood: $28–$68 per square foot

• Granite: $25–$170 per square foot

Installation Costs

The labor cost to install copper countertops is $10 to $30 per square foot on average, contributing to about a third of the overall project cost. However, if you have existing countertops to remove before installing copper countertops, you’ll likely pay an additional $50 to $300 to have the old counters removed and carried out.

Compare at least three local countertop installers to assess pricing in your area before choosing a contractor for your project.

Cost Factors

The cost of installing copper counters can fluctuate depending on the size of your kitchen, type of copper you use, whether or not you need spaces cut out for a sink or appliances and the contractor you hire for the project.

Kitchen Size

The number of square feet your counters need to cover is the most common and easily measured cost factor. To calculate the rough cost of your copper countertop installation, take the number of square feet you need to cover times $100 to $175 to get a price range for your project.

Type of Copper

A thinner sheet of copper usually costs less than a thicker sheet. Texturing the copper or buying textured copper (with a hammered look, for example) may also cost more.

However, be aware that, since copper is a soft metal and the surface changes throughout its life, the countertops will not look perfectly smooth and shiny forever and will likely take on a more rustic or worn patina over time.

Configuration

If you are switching up the look of your kitchen from another material to copper, you will probably want to also install a copper sink to match the look of the countertops. Installing a sink costs between $215 to $600 or about $400 on average.

Be sure to explore kitchen remodeling costs before deciding to get a brand new sink installed where there wasn’t one before; you may also have to hire a plumber near you to install the drain line and plumbing to get the sink functional. The cost to hire a plumber will likely add about $45 to $200 per hour to your budget. Before finishing the project, your countertop installer will need to cut out a space in the copper counter so that the sink fits in the countertop.

Cost to Repair or Replace Copper Countertops

The average cost to repair countertops is around $350 for 55 to 60 square feet and completely replacing kitchen countertops usually costs around $25 to $120 per square foot. However, if you need to update or repair your cabinets that will support the new countertop, have a new sink installed, cover the cost to update the plumbing, or you’re replacing your old countertop material with copper, the price of your project will likely go up.

To keep copper counters from oxidizing too rapidly and needing replacement, you can apply copper polish from the store or a lemon juice and salt mixture to brighten the copper’s color when it starts to look dull. To slow the oxidation process, you can also apply protective beeswax (sometimes also called copper wax in hardware stores). This is an easy DIY task, so simply look for copper wax products online or in your local hardware store.

DIY vs. Hiring a Countertop Installation Pro

Installing countertops of any kind is an advanced project and probably a job best left to a professional. This is especially true if you’ll need spaces cut out of the countertop for your sink or appliances, as it’s dangerous without the proper equipment and experience using it. Plus, the cost of buying the proper tools to use yourself might add up to about the same amount you’d pay to hire a professional anyway.

FAQs

What are the advantages and disadvantages of copper countertops?

The main advantages of copper countertops are their beauty and elegance and their natural antimicrobial properties. Copper also doesn’t retain odors and is easy to clean.

When it comes to the disadvantages of copper countertops, understand that the metal scratches easily and is sensitive to acid. You would want to take care when preparing certain foods like tomatoes on or near the surface and always use a cutting board to chop ingredients. The material is also sensitive to heat, so be sure to use trivets rather than setting hot dishes directly on the surface to avoid staining.

Copper counters are also much more expensive than many other common alternative materials like wood, concrete, tile, laminate and some types of stone.

How do you clean copper countertops?

Counters made of copper require only a wipe down with soap and warm water with a soft sponge every few weeks or whenever they become dirty. Make sure to also dry the counters with a towel or microfiber cloth soon after cleaning rather than letting them air dry, so they don’t tarnish. You can also apply a metal polish after cleaning the copper to keep it looking shiny.